The famous pacifier—binky, soother, or whatever you call it—has arrived at your house, bringing with it a flurry of questions? Your baby is just born or about to be, and you’re already wondering whether you’ll offer them a pacifier. Because this little item is so often a big debate, Élhée is here to answer two questions: At what age should you give your baby a pacifier, and, most importantly, how can you incorporate it into daily life?
CONTENTS:
- The pacifier: fairy godmother or mischievous sprite?
- Timing is everything: when to give your newborn their first pacifier?
- The magic formula for finding the perfect pacifier
- The pacifier by day and by night
- When the pacifier’s magic lasts a little too long
- Weaning mission... with no spells required
- Final word: every baby is different
The pacifier: fairy godmother or mischievous sprite?
When it comes to pacifiers, there are parents “for” and “against.” Some see it as the fairy godmother for bedtime and make it part of their baby’s routine right away, while others firmly refuse it, citing the drawbacks.
The pacifier soothes babies…
- The pacifier satisfies the newborn’s need to suck.
- Thanks to the pacifier, your baby (and you) are more likely to enjoy peaceful nights.
- Some studies suggest a positive link between pacifier use and the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Baby has colic? Sucking releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone), which helps soothe and may help relieve gas in the digestive system for temporary but much-welcome comfort.
- Similarly, at the pediatrician, giving your baby a pacifier can help them cope better with exams or shots.
But the pacifier can interfere with breastfeeding
- With pacifiers, be aware of the nipple confusion risk, which could disrupt proper breastfeeding.
- Open bite (dental gap) is another potential issue to watch after age 2.
- Certain studies show a higher risk of ear infections among children who use a pacifier, though the cause isn’t always clear.
- Other research indicates excessive pacifier use could lead to speech and language delays in older children.
- Baby’s attachment to their pacifier can become so strong that letting go becomes very difficult for them.
So, which of these points are most important to you? As is often the case, there’s no single answer. The pacifier’s (positive or negative) impact depends mostly on when and how it’s introduced, how it’s used, and which model you choose.
Timing is everything: when to give your newborn their first pacifier?
To avoid nipple confusion syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier. Usually, this means waiting 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
For bottle-fed babies, you can offer a pacifier earlier, but still only after their first few weeks of life.
👶 So, wait if possible until your baby is at least a month old before getting their first pacifier.
The magic formula for finding the perfect pacifier
When you become a parent, you wish you had magic formulas for everything. To help your baby sleep better, to ease their pain, and also to find the best accessories to offer.
For pacifiers, whether in-store or online, start by focusing on the recommended age. This will help you pick the right size and ensure the pacifier fits your baby’s mouth properly.
Next, check the material : medical-grade silicone pacifiers are soft and 100% safe. Latex (rubber) is natural and durable. Shape matters too: orthodontic or physiological pacifiers are designed to fit small mouths. Round shapes recall the breast; anatomical styles are perfectly symmetrical.
Finally, don’t forget to check that the product meets safety standards (including CE marking and EN 1400 standard in particular).
And remember: the perfect pacifier is the one that soothes your baby when they need it. You may need to try several before finding the right one. (Once you do, stock up!)
5 criteria that really make a difference
- 🌬️ Ventilation: choose a pacifier with ventilation holes to prevent skin irritation around your baby’s mouth (especially when your baby is teething and drooling a lot).
- 🤝 Easy to grasp: a pacifier with a ring is great for your baby to hold (and for you, when you need to pick it up for the 100th time).
- 🧼 Easy to clean: a single-piece pacifier won’t trap dirt in seams between multiple elements.
- ✨ Safe materials: make sure the pacifier is free of harmful chemicals, such as BPA, an endocrine disruptor that can be detrimental to health.
- 🤏 Thin design: look for thin, flexible pacifiers that are comfortable for your baby and support healthy mouth development.
Just as it’s no longer necessary to sterilize bottles, your baby’s pacifier doesn’t need to be boiled. Daily cleaning with hot water and mild soap is enough. If it falls or gets dirty, rinse it carefully with clean water and offer another. For even easier hygiene, pick a pacifier designed in one single piece, such as the Élhée pacifier.
The pacifier by day and by night
If you already have a child or spend time around children, you know how tough it can be to have them set the pacifier aside. This can result in a very quiet baby, or one whose speech is a little tricky to decipher.
To prevent this, try from the start to limit pacifier use to sleep times—at night, for naps, cuddling, or moments of comfort.
To make this work, help your child pick a specific, convenient place—always the same—to put the pacifier away after nap time or the end of the night 😴. This could be a dresser or nightstand, or even the sink edge for a rinse.
Some helpful guidelines for parents
- Up to about 1 year old, use the pacifier mainly to soothe your baby (not just to occupy them), and start offering other alternatives (toys, soft music, a big hug…).
- From the second year onward, if your child still has the pacifier during the day, ask them to take it out when talking, playing, or before heading out for a walk.
- Finally, once they turn 3, the pacifier should be more of a special, magical object, valued more for comfort than actual need (like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus).
When the pacifier’s magic lasts a little too long
Are you realizing your child uses their pacifier all the time, and wondering how you can help change that?
Try the “trade” technique: as often as possible, swap the pacifier for a fun activity, a cuddle, or a healthy treat like their favorite fruit. With gentle persistence, the pacifier will eventually find its place—back in your child’s bed.
👍 And if the change takes a while, be patient. Just remember: it would be much harder if your child had chosen to suck their thumb!
Weaning mission... with no spells required
If your child is between 2 and 4 years old, is talking well, shows independence, can self-soothe, wants to “be like the grown-ups,” and you have no major changes coming up (moving, starting school, new sibling, etc.) in the next few months—then the time is right to say goodbye to the pacifier.
Our tips for making the pacifier disappear with (almost) a wave of a magic wand
- 👏 Every time your child skips their pacifier, praise them.
- 📅 Create a calendar where every pacifier-free day earns a sticker or a little drawing. Display it so everyone in the family can celebrate your child’s progress.
- 🧺 If your child is a bit older, try decorating a beautiful box together to store the pacifier as a keepsake.
- 📚 Use the power of little stories! Now that your child is big and doesn’t need their pacifier anymore, it can go help other babies.
And remember: there’s no perfect time or exact age to wean your child off the pacifier. The key is to wait until you and your child both feel ready to make this transition gently. As with all growth milestones, listening and kindness are your best allies!
Final word: every baby is different
- Every baby is unique: what works for one may not work for another.
- Moderation is your new magic formula: a pacifier is fine, but not all the time.
- The golden age for weaning: between ages 2 and 4, but don’t stress if it takes longer!
Our bonus tip for sweeter nights
Establish a calming bedtime ritual: a warm bath, a story, a cuddle, and a lullaby… something simple you can repeat every evening. The pacifier can be part of this ritual, but should not be its centerpiece.
And don’t forget: tough nights, doubts, and stretches of exhaustion… All these are part of parenthood, and they pass quickly—even if, at the time, that’s hard to believe.
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